What would you be asking

[kevinl]

Lovely boat, seems like in your head it's already yours. At 70" it's in some ways less desirable to many than the go anywhere 62"-65" (opinion varies) length of boat this is not a problem when you're buying but a potential problem if and when you do come to sell. I think I read you have 2 young boys, so not a lot "family space" or private space, do you need all those beds? You need to look at a good few boats before you know what is your ideal (everyone here will tell you that,as they told me and it's true) lounge at the front, kitchen at the back, bedroom at the front all may sound like a bad idea until you see how it works in reality. For example my preference is kitchen at the back that's the main way in and out so hard flooring, easy to clean when it gets lived in. What if the main way into the boat is through your bedroom and the kids come in and out 100 times a day, how happy will you be then? You need to look at boats, lots of boats go somewhere big with a lot of them for sale and view them all, 60k is a big budget there's loads out there for that kind of money.

[Halesowenmum]

Lovely boat, seems like in your head it's already yours. At 70" it's in some ways less desirable to many than the go anywhere 62"-65" (opinion varies) length of boat this is not a problem when you're buying but a potential problem if and when you do come to sell. I think I read you have 2 young boys, so not a lot "family space" or private space, do you need all those beds? You need to look at a good few boats before you know what is your ideal (everyone here will tell you that,as they told me and it's true) lounge at the front, kitchen at the back, bedroom at the front all may sound like a bad idea until you see how it works in reality. For example my preference is kitchen at the back that's the main way in and out so hard flooring, easy to clean when it gets lived in. What if the main way into the boat is through your bedroom and the kids come in and out 100 times a day, how happy will you be then? You need to look at boats, lots of boats go somewhere big with a lot of them for sale and view them all, 60k is a big budget there's loads out there for that kind of money.

 

Thanks kevini I will be looking around at others. The points you make are really good ones and I'm becoming less interested in this boat to be honest - but I'll more than likely still go and look at it, and to a couple of other brokers as well where I can look at lots and lots. Thank you so much for responding. It's not mine in my head yet, but I have to look at every boat as to whether it really would be what I needed, what would I need to change and therefore is it a sensible option or could I get something better for a bit less money.

[Zayna]

Gotta agree with that. We ripped ours out after a few years and got a fantastic sofa from Elite (they do them specially for boats)

 

Agree about the sofa. We managed with a futon for a couple of months with the intention of replacing it with... what? I'm lucky to have a handy chap and he would not entertain paying a specialist company for a sofa, so we searched on Ebay, found a two seater and a three seater, he took them apart and trimmed them down, cut bits off, stapled bits on and made an absolutely fantastic custom built sofa which when you take the cushions off and pile them up, makes a double bed for visitors.

 

If you know a joiner/ handyman, see if they are prepared to have a go at such a project. Here's ours, sorry if everyone's bored of seeing it.

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=54103

 

I like the look of that boat, it's nice and bright. How technical of me.

[Greedyheron]

In terms of buying a boat, as said before, a deposit will secure it whilst you have a survey done, do be really detailed about under what circumstances you get the deposit back and how long you have to make the final decision post survey.

From recent experience, think carefully about where the boat is. Is there a crane on site for the survey? Having to get one in costs as would having to go miles to the nearest one, especially with all the stoppages. How would you get the boat to your mooring- potentially more cranage/ hauling- it really adds up quickly so can add a couple of thousand. If you have the time to cruise this is less of an issue.

 

Check the broker details carefully, point out anything incorrect and use it to negotiate ( just bought a boat and the details had a number of errors). I see nothing wrong with offering what you want to pay, the seller can always refuse an offer, just be realistic.

 

I find taking a non boat person with me to view helpful- they point out the practical bits whilst my head is focused on other things- things like, why is that window leaking, it's cold, where do your clothes go?

If a private sale, I've found out loads bout boats from local boaters, they like to talk and will often tell you if here is one thing they think you should know.

Best advice I was given is that few things grow on trees, but boats for sale do . its just a case of being willing to keep looking as they come on the market. The right one will turn up. This in no way explains the boats I have bought, but would be good advice to follow

 

Very excited for you!

[alan_fincher]

Then we have two sets of bunks (four sleep spaces in total)- which would likely have the two top bunks used for sleeping and with virtually no works required at all, the bottoms used for storage.

Not sure if this has been picked up on, but 4 bunk beds in opposite pairs of two is normally a terribly constricted arrangement.

 

Once common on hire boats when people's expectations were much lower, and accepted lots of berths in a short boat, it has largely fallen into disuse.

 

The problem is that because of gunwales and upper cabin shape, and the need to still have an acceptable gangway between, top berths are normally incredibly narrow - a lot less than the minimum of about 2 feet that you really need for any degree ofvcomfort.

 

OK for occasional use, but probably very limiting as anybody's permanent bed. If you haven't seen it yet, it may surprise you how cramped such an arrangement is.

 

At 70" it's in some ways less desirable to many than the go anywhere 62"-65" (opinion varies) length of boat this is not a problem when you're buying but a potential problem if and when you do come to sell.

I could say that 70 inches, let alone 62 to 65 inches is far too short for any live-aboard boat, but I know what you meant!

 

Although you say "opinion varies", I don't think you can find many places that 65 feet will go that 70 feet will not, will you?

 

Goint below 62 feet makes quite a few more waterways accessible, but you have to be well below 60 feet (opinion varies!)m to be approaching true "go anywhere", I would say.

 

It may potentially be far harder to find a permanent mooring for a 70 foot boat than a shorter one. Certainly down where we are, the auction prices tend to go highly inflated for "full length" berths, because demand outstrips supply even more than usual.

Edited February 22, 2013 by alan_fincher

[Paul C]

Pretty much every boat expense scales with length, eg licensing, blacking, mooring, etc so its worth bearing this in mind. If you really need the space and can afford it, then no worries getting a 70' boat though. One other thing, is that once you're into the long end of the available range of lengths, corners, approaching bridges (on corners), mooring, junctions etc all become 'tight' and need to be done with precision, where a smaller boat is easier to drive (in general) and can turn and moor in spots a longer can't.

[Halesowenmum]

thank you paul c and alan fincher - really good points for me to take on board. Thank you!

[nebulae]

If your priority is living on board,rather than cruising,a "trad" stern gives more covered space,unless you have a pram hood.Also tends to keep your electrics dry.Can still have the engine at the back,rather than a separate engine room.Make sure you see lots of proof of ownership.Reciepts,handbooks for equipment,record of work done in boatyards etc.Dealing with a broker should be O.K.but you are dealing with a lot of money,so be cautious.Get a survey.Any doubts,walk away.

[Odana]

That boat has been on the market a while so you have time to look at others after- we debated going to view it back in September. Tis good to look at others that don't quite meet your spec as you get lots of ideas about what might or might not work. We did a full day of marina viewings at the start of our search for a full length boat and it was invaluable. Enjoy the viewing and keep heart firmly on a leash while head is engaged. And take lots of pics of details so you can remember when pondering later.

[Halesowenmum]

Thank you guys, all really really good and valuable points thank you so much.

[bowten]

Not sure where you are thinking of cruising,but if your budget is this amount and you are not going to be cruising the entire network why not have a look at widebeams too.

[alan_fincher]

Not sure where you are thinking of cruising,but if your budget is this amount and you are not going to be cruising the entire network why not have a look at widebeams too.

She is intending to keep it near Halesowen, so it will not fit in any of the locks for miles around unless narrow beam!

[bowten]

She is intending to keep it near Halesowen, so it will not fit in any of the locks for miles around unless narrow beam!

Okey dokey.